In this portion of Holy
Scripture God the Holy Ghost gives us God’s law regarding the numbering of
the children of Israel and the atonement money they paid, so that no plague
come upon them. This is a very instructive and blessed type and picture of
our redemption, the ransom of our souls, by the precious blood of the Lord
Jesus Christ.

Limited Atonement

We believe, rejoice in,
and preach, without apology, the great and glorious Gospel doctrine of particular
and effectual redemption accomplished by the precious, sin-atoning blood of
the Lord Jesus Christ — Limited Atonement.

I
defy anyone to find any place in the Book of God that even hints at the
possibility that Christ shed his blood for those who perish in hell. Where
does the Word of God proclaim an atonement that does not atone? —A
redemption that does not redeem? — A deliverance that does not deliver?
—A ransom that does not set free? — A Savior who does not save?
— Nowhere!

Everywhere
in Holy Scripture, in every place, every chapter, every verse, every
prophecy, every picture, and every type which speaks of or in any way
explains the great and glorious redemptive work of Christ, it is always set
before us as the redemption of a specific people and a redemption that is
effectually accomplished, a redemption by which those specific people are
actually redeemed.

The
ransom money for atonement was paid for a certain number of people. — “The
sum of the children of Israel.” A certain price was paid. — “Half
a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary.” And a certain result
followed. — Those who were redeemed according to the requirement of the
law had “no plague among them!”

Three Statements

I call your attention to three
blessed facts of divine revelation found in this portion of Inspiration.

1.None
were redeemed except God’s chosen, the children of Israel; and all the
children of Israel were redeemed. All the children of Israel were numbered
with the adult males of the nation; and they made up the specific number for
whom this atonement money was paid — 603,550 men.

2.The
ransom price was determined by divine measure. Those who were redeemed were
redeemed with “half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary.” God’s
demands were measured out by God himself, exacted by God, and paid to God.
Here is the measurement of the sanctuary: “The precious blood of Christ!”

3.All
the chosen brought the atonement money in their hands. Even so, all God’s
elect must and shall come to God through faith in the blood of Christ,
through faith in the accomplished redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ. Coming
to God by faith in the blood of Christ (Romans 3:25), believing sinners are
assured that no plague shall befall them!